We will be starting outside of the largest town in the area, Bascombe. Bascombe is led by the halfling Calmus Tallfellow of Bascombe. He took/added the town name as part of his title of Baron of Bascombe. Calmus has held the town for about the last 10 years & (my shorthand for 'and') is a rather benevolent ruler.

We start during the later spring time, farmers are planting in the fields. The air is still a bit cool during evenings & early morning.

Everyone lives in Bascombe & owes the baron 10 days of duty time during the spring. You all meet for the first time during the first day of road clearing & maintenance. Depending upon your skills & abilities, you could be hunting for food, assisting in physical road labor, etc as needed.

During the noontime rest of the 4th day, Knight Richard Rathborne, a human, arrives with 2 soldiers & an assistant with 3 hound dogs. The knight's manor house is a few miles away.

The knight speaks with the road boss/leader & then from horseback "Greetings all. My men are chasing down a group of bandits, the Bloody Hand on the other side of yonder hill." He points to a series of tall hills some hours away by foot. "Svenner (the road boss) will lead some of you into those hills to trap those bandits & keep them from escaping. I am sending Kelper (a halfling) & his hounds to help you chase them down. Depart immediately. Kill them all upon sight. I am returning to my men."  He then departs, a knight of few words.

Svenner chooses all of the characters as his party to chase them down. With a fast pace, you can reach the hills by evening. The Bloody Hand is a group of poachers, bandits, horse thieves & other ruthless badness. They have been in the area for some years & appear to have grown in size the past couple of years. Svenner gives you a few minutes to gather your gear from the supply wagon & then sets out.

How fast do you wish to travel ?? Ponder a marching order, including Svenner, Kepler & his hounds. Any other plans on bandit hunting ?? Svenner is more of a work boss than a soldier. The Bloody Hand should be considered quite dangerous. I would like to finish character creation by this Friday.

Vrigori shows up ready to go. He's wearing leathers, and has a sword and dagger at his side. The hilt of the sword hints that the weapon isn't that impressive, but the scabbard is nice, even though it doesn't seem made for the sword. He's also got a dagger, and a pouch of sling pellets clanks at his belt. His backpack isn't bulging, but it seems plenty for his skinny frame. He's clearly no warrior.

"I'm happy to join you all," he says, "but I'm not going to pretend I'm some kind of warrior. I'll be trying to stay out of the way, but I'll get in a jab or two, if I live that long."

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No preference on location in formation, but he's not much good as a point man.
I couldn't afford both armor and thieves tools, but he can still try to sneak and climb. With a little luck, he might be able to get in a backstab.

I'm hoping the hounds will lead us. If anyone has infravision, they can go in front.

Birahu is excited about the hunt for bandits, as he was training to be a knight, he was well equipped and ready to go! He donned his armor with some help from his friends, got his pack, sword, dagger, and spear and he was ready to go! He practically ran up to join the team to hunt for the bandits. He had a black cloak over his chainmail, he cut a valiant figure, almost dashing! The only mar on appearance was the viscous scar running from the corner of his eye to his lip! "Are we ready to get moving guys? Man this is a great opportunity to make a name for ourselves!"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:26, Thu 27 July 2023.

Arandyl wipes the beads of sweat from his forehead as he watches the knight and his entourage approach. He appraises and admires the man's steed, figuring it could pull a plow all day long without much effort.

After the knight's words he is one among a few chosen to soldier for the knight. Arandyl is no fighter. Never killed more than a buck in the highlands. Certainly not another being. At first he thought about refusing, but something about the mission calls to him. Shaking his head, amazed he is going to do this thing, he gathers his bow, quiver, satchel, and waterskin from the wagon. It is all he posesses in life after-- no, no dwelling on it now.

Those called to duty gather together. "I am named Arandyl." He says for those he has not met in the last four days of road maintenance.

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(OOC)
Arandyl will not volunteer for a point position, preferring to attack from a range position, if at all. He does have infravision, so an argument can be made for leading point in the darkness to be resolved by dueling charismas. With that said, I include a CHA roll.

Arandyl rolled 15 using 1d20.  Persuasion (CHA).  Failed roll.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:02, Fri 28 July 2023.

It is noontime, so fill the waterskins, munch a hunk of bread or cheese  ....